Government is one of the main social science subjects in JAMB. It tests candidates on political concepts, systems of government, constitutions, public administration, political ideologies, citizenship, pressure groups, electoral processes, and Nigeria’s political development.
To perform well, candidates must study textbooks that explain political ideas clearly, relate theory to Nigerian and global examples, and follow the senior secondary school curriculum. The textbooks listed below are officially recommended for JAMB Government 2026/2027 and remain relevant for WAEC and NECO.
Recommended Textbooks for JAMB UTME Government 2026/2027
The JAMB recommended textbooks for Government 2026/2027 we have listed here includes best Government textbooks for UTME, Government study materials for JAMB candidates, Nigerian Government textbooks for senior secondary schools, political science books for JAMB, WAEC NECO JAMB Government preparation, government syllabus recommended books, and political theory textbooks for students:
| S/N | BOOK TITLE | AUTHOR | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Essentials of Government for West Africa | Adigwe, F. (1985) | A foundational Government textbook explaining basic political concepts, organs of government, constitutions, and civic responsibilities. Suitable for beginners. |
| 2 | Elements of Politics | Anifowose, R. & Enemuo, F. C. (eds.) (1999) | A comprehensive political science text covering political theories, ideologies, institutions, democracy, and governance with African perspectives. Excellent for conceptual clarity. |
| 3 | The Substance of Politics | Appadorai, A. (1978) | A classic text on political theory explaining power, authority, sovereignty, state, and government. Helps students understand abstract concepts tested in JAMB. |
| 4 | Modern Politics and Government | Ball, A. R. (1983) | Examines political systems, political participation, parties, and public administration in modern states. Useful for comparative government topics. |
| 5 | Government for the Certificate Year | Ofoegbu, R. (1977) | Designed specifically for certificate-level students, covering constitutions, organs of government, and political processes in a simplified manner. |
| 6 | New Topics on Ordinary Level Government | Olawale, J. B. (1987) | Focuses on emerging and frequently examined topics in Government. Helps students understand new trends and concepts in political studies. |
| 7 | Government for Senior Secondary Schools (Books 1–3) | Oyediran, O.; Nwosu, H.; Takaya, B.; Anifowose, R.; Femi, B.; Godwill, O.; Adigun, A. (1990) | A complete senior secondary course covering Nigerian government, constitutions, public administration, electoral systems, and political parties. Strongly aligned with JAMB syllabus. |
| 8 | Round-Up Government for Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination | Oyeneye, I.; Onyenwenu, M.; Olusunde, B. E. (2000) | A revision-oriented textbook with summaries, key points, and practice questions. Ideal for final-stage revision. |
| 9 | Countdown to Senior Secondary Certificate Examination: Government | Oyovbaire, S.; Ogunna, A. E. C.; Amucheazi, E. C.; Coker, H. O.; Oshuntuyi, O. (2001) | An exam-focused guide covering the full syllabus with likely questions and explanations. Useful for UTME and SSCE preparation. |
Recommended Post: Recommended Textbooks for all JAMB Subjects 2026/2027
How to Study Government Effectively for JAMB 2026/2027
1. Master basic political concepts early: Understand terms like state, nation, power, authority, sovereignty, democracy, and constitution.
2. Study Nigerian constitutions carefully: Questions often focus on features of constitutions, rule of law, separation of powers, and federalism.
3. Compare systems of government: Presidential, parliamentary, unitary, federal, and military systems are frequently tested.
4. Learn political ideologies: Capitalism, socialism, communism, fascism, and nationalism are common UTME topics.
5. Practise objective questions regularly: Government questions are largely conceptual and pattern-based.
6. Use revision books close to the exam: Round-Up and Countdown books help consolidate learning quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ques: Which Government textbook is best for beginners?
Ans: Essentials of Government for West Africa by Adigwe is a good starting point.
Ques: Which book is best for complete JAMB preparation?
Ans: Government for Senior Secondary Schools (Books 1–3) by Oyediran et al.
Ques: Are political theory books necessary?
Ans: Yes. They help explain abstract concepts clearly.
Ques: Does JAMB focus more on Nigerian Government?
Ans: Yes, but comparative and theoretical questions also appear.
Ques: Are constitutions important in JAMB Government?
Ans: Very important. Expect multiple questions from this area.
Ques: Can I rely only on revision books?
Ans: Revision books help, but they should be used alongside a full textbook.
Ques: How many hours weekly should I study Government?
Ans: Two to four focused study sessions per week are sufficient.
Ques: Are these books useful for WAEC and NECO?
Ans: Yes. All are aligned with SSCE requirements.
Ques: Is memorisation enough for Government?
Ans: No. Understanding concepts is more important than rote learning.
Ques: Can I combine two textbooks for better results?
Ans: Yes. A core textbook plus a revision guide works best.